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Updated: Feb 13, 2026
Assessment of Bone Fracture Healing Using Micro-Computed Tomography
Published on: December 9, 2022
The Role of the Immune Cells in Fracture Healing
Gurpreet S Baht1,2,3, Linda Vi4, Benjamin A Alman5,6
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University, DUMC 104775, 300 North Duke Street, Durham, NC, 27701, USA. gurpreet.baht@duke.edu.
Purpose Of Review:
Bone fracture healing is a complex physiological process relying on numerous cell types and signals. Inflammatory factors secreted by immune cells help to control recruitment, proliferation, differentiation, and activation of hematopoietic and mesenchymal cells. Within this review we will discuss the functional role of immune cells as it pertains to bone fracture healing. In doing so, we will outline the cytokines secreted and their effects within the healing fracture callus.
Recent Findings:
Macrophages have been found to play an important role in fracture healing. These immune cells signal to other cells of the fracture callus, modulating bone healing. Cytokines and cellular signals within fracture healing continue to be studied. The findings from this work have helped to reinforce the importance of osteoimmunity in bone fracture healing. Owing to these efforts, immunomodulation is emerging as a potential therapeutic target to improve bone fracture healing.
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